NexTone Session Controller Technology is Basis of sparq's New VoIP Interexchange Capability; Independent Operator in Taiwan Uses NexTone MSC to Support Growing VoIP Services and Build Out IP Infrastructure.

GAITHERSBURG, Md. -- NexTone Communications(R), the market leader in scalable session management of real-time IP services such as voice over IP (VoIP), today announced that sparq, a non-government owned Tier-one carrier based in Taiwan, has deployed two NexTone Multiprotocol Session Controllers (MSCs) and the iView Management System (iVMS) as part of its network for wholesale international VoIP services. Installed at the network edge, the MSC enables sparq to handle carrier-to-carrier interconnects without the need for the time division multiplex (TDM) based interfaces provided by media gateways.

When sparq began working with a global VoIP provider, the operator found it needed to upgrade its network to deal with interoperability issues such as SIP protocol conversion, monitoring, and network address translation (NAT). NexTone's MSC quickly solved these interoperability issues, and gives sparq a high-quality VoIP interexchange capability as well as a way to terminate calls immediately. The NexTone system also enables the operator to build out an IP infrastructure that positions it for future growth as Taiwan develops regulations for the VoIP market. With the NexTone iVMS, sparq can also analyze detailed management information and significantly reduce the overall cost of managing its network.

"After evaluating several other session border controllers, we selected NexTone's MSC because it is comprehensive and feature-rich, offers better voice quality, and the company's dedication to its customers and its response time were very impressive," said Steve Chiang, executive vice president at sparq. "NexTone shipped the system in only a few days and it was up and running within two days of its arrival. Since more and more VoIP providers have NexTone systems in their infrastructure, the MSC will enable us to capture their business and ultimately become the market leader in Taiwan for VoIP interexchange services."

Because VoIP services are very popular in Taiwan, sparq is currently using the NexTone MSC to terminate this type of traffic, and in the future will use the system to connect to more and more VoIP providers. The MSC will also enable sparq to provide VoIP and other IP services and applications, including session initiation protocol (SIP) applications, to its enterprise customers as it migrates its network traffic from TDM to IP.

"NexTone's session controller technology is perfect for operators such as sparq that are just entering the VoIP interexchange market," said Dan Dearing, vice president of marketing at NexTone. "The MSC gives operators a solution they can use immediately, but that is flexible and scalable enough to provide a growth path as they start to add more IP services and ultimately migrate to an IP infrastructure."

About sparq

sparq (a.k.a. New Century InfoComm Tech. Co., Ltd., NCIC) is a privately owned telecommunication company funded by the Far Eastern Group, SingTel, and a consortium of top local enterprises. sparq provides end users with a variety of telecommunication services based on its advanced technology, innovative services, and focus on quality. sparq was granted approval of its fixed-line provider application on March 19, 2000, and a Concession License on February 2001 to provide services of leased telephone integration which include broadband application, enterprise portals, Internet protocol virtual private network (IP-VPN), and web hosting.

About NexTone Communications

NexTone Communications develops carrier-grade products that deliver scalable control of real-time IP services, such as voice over IP (VoIP). NexTone solutions enable carriers, service providers, and enterprises to securely, simply, and cost-effectively interconnect networks for end-to-end control and management of IP traffic. NexTone's real-time IP technology has been installed by more than 200 service providers worldwide to dramatically reduce capital expenditures and deliver ongoing operational efficiencies, such as reduced interconnect "turn-up" time and simplified network operations. For its ability to anticipate the growing need for multiprotocol session control and its impressive market traction, NexTone was awarded the 2004 Frost and Sullivan Market Penetration Leadership Award. The company is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland USA with domestic and International sales offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.nextone.com.